“Will always be thankful!” – Buccaneers release Shaquil Barrett, who had $15.04 million option bonus due next month, fans react

Shaquil Barrett joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019.

“Will always be thankful!” – Buccaneers release Shaquil Barrett, who had $15.04 million option bonus due next month, fans react

Shaquil Barrett (Via Imago)

Ahead of the 2024 offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a major decision to release outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett as they plan to rebuild their defensive line for the next season. 

Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Barrett’s release via Good Morning Football. Bowles said, that though Barrett’s journey in the Bucs has been great throughout the five years, the decision was necessary as they proceed in a different direction. 

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter also confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter), and wrote:

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Barrett had a $15.04 million option bonus due next month. Instead of collecting it, he now will become a free agent.
Adam Schefter wrote on X

Interestingly, the edge rusher still has one year left in his four-year contract deal with the Bucs, which he signed in 2021 and entitled him to a $15.04 million bonus due next month. Barrett’s departure hasn’t come as a shock to anyone, including himself, as last month, he addressed the possibility of him not returning to the Bucs next season. 

Todd Bowles and Shaquil Barrett
Todd Bowles and Shaquil Barrett (Via Imago)

Barrett joined Tampa Bay in a one-year contract deal back in 2019 and in his very first year, he logged a career-high 19.5 sacks with the team. He also became a second-team All-Pro that year and won a Super Bowl ring the following season. 

Fan reaction to Tampa Bay Buccaneers releasing Shaquil Barrett

As stated before, the Bucs releasing Barrett isn’t surprising news to anyone. Fans seemed to have taken it in the most affectionate manner.

Shaquil Barrett
Shaquil Barrett (Via Imago)

They wished him best wishes for the future and also expressed his gratitude for his contributions to the team’s defense, not to mention he won a Super Bowl with them. Though fans called it the end of an era, they understand that it was time for him to move forward, just the like Bucs. 

One fan wrote a heartfelt note dedicated to the edge rusher, saying “I’ll always be thankful for what Barrett helped build here in Tampa,” while another wrote, “Memorable 19.5 sack season in his first year, huge part of the Super Bowl playoff run. Wishing you the best!” Here are some of the reactions:

https://twitter.com/PHYSAYO23/status/1762458690894897200
https://twitter.com/ProfessorXXX88/status/1762458476301746651
https://twitter.com/Buc_All_Yall/status/1762470651124662536
https://twitter.com/trooplovermike/status/1762456114392625190

It’s truly the end of an era and fans want nothing but best wishes for Barrett. Many even speculated his next potential landing stop by mentioning the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and others.

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